Kolkata: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strengthened its lead in the Nandigram Assembly bypoll, with party candidate Hasi Rani Rath moving ahead by more than 24,000 votes, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI).

As of 11:07 AM on October 9, Rath had secured 24,056 votes, accounting for 79.80% of the votes counted. Congress candidate Milan Pradhan was in second place with 4,365 votes (14.48%), while Communist Party of India (CPI) candidate Santi Gopal Giri had received 871 votes (2.89%).

Ali Md Sabe Miraj Khan of the All India Secular Front had secured 377 votes (1.25%), while Ehteshmul Haque of the Democratic Trinamool Congress had received 126 votes (0.42%).

The Nandigram bypoll has attracted significant political attention because of the constituency’s importance in West Bengal politics. The seat became vacant after the Chief Minister chose to retain Bhabanipur instead.

Nandigram, in Purba Medinipur district, has long been associated with Suvendu Adhikari, who won the constituency in 2016, 2021 and 2026, according to the report. The BJP has fielded Hasi Rani Rath, the mother of Chandranath Rath, a former aide to the incumbent Chief Minister.

Polling in Nandigram was held on October 6, recording a voter turnout of 79.39%, according to the ECI. The counting process is ongoing, with 15 rounds scheduled in total. The figures reflect the counting position reported at 11:07 AM and may change as further rounds are completed.